I have been guilty in the past of not being partial to female commentators but I realised recently that I just view them as commentators now.It is, the other day me and my lad were chatting away at half time in one of the matches and we just stopped and started listening. What football pundits should be giving us instead of the inane cliches from the old boys club. Still can’t be doing with the screeching match commentators though:)
He did well last night without getting much credit. Two assists would normally capture more attention. We are rightly obsessed with Phil because he is one of ours since a small boy and he is a generational talent. I haven't heard you shy away from mentioning Rice once in a while. By the way, he could do with watching Rodri and learning how to make himself available for an out ball. Quite an important skill for a DM that has been sadly lacking in this competition for us so far.
I see it as the main job of a DM to go on the gimme. Ferdinando was the master at it for us. David Batty is the only English player to have it as a natural ability. Its why Stones and Maguire have struggled to build the play in this World Cup.He did well last night without getting much credit. Two assists would normally capture more attention. We are rightly obsessed with Phil because he is one of ours since a small boy and he is a generational talent. I haven't heard you shy away from mentioning Rice once in a while. By the way, he could do with watching Rodri and learning how to make himself available for an out ball. Quite an important skill for a DM that has been sadly lacking in this competition for us so far.
you need a bit of football intelligence and I think sadly that is missing in Rice. He would fit in at Salford, which is where I think he might go.
As far as Phil is concerned, I wish he could impose himself on this WC like Mbappe has. He must get frustrated as he thrives in tight spaces and doesn't have anyone around him that can exploit that. Time and again I see him making himself available for a sharp pass into feet and a safer pass to someone else is chosen. People ask why he cant replicate his City form for England when the answer to that is obvious.
Mbappe strikes were unreal yesterday but he is getting played into positions that he can demonstrate his ability. In the main Phil isn't.
He did well last night without getting much credit. Two assists would normally capture more attention. We are rightly obsessed with Phil because he is one of ours since a small boy and he is a generational talent. I haven't heard you shy away from mentioning Rice once in a while. By the way, he could do with watching Rodri and learning how to make himself available for an out ball. Quite an important skill for a DM that has been sadly lacking in this competition for us so far.
I felt a bit sorry for Stones and Maguire first half they seemed to have no one to pass to. In defense of Rice I would point out that he has not been coached by Pep whereas Rodri has. If you think of the pelters Rodri got early on in his City career here I don't think its a skill that comes quickly or easily and Rodri has had the best coach to teach him this whereas Rice has had Moyes..Agree on Rodri/Rice it looked like Stones's head was going to explode with frustration at times. Rodri could show him but he'd have to charge.
Declan Rice is a big issue for me
Hence why england started to go long
He doesnt show for the ball or build play
Horribly overated
Yes, agree. I think with a following wind England can go all the way. Holland and Croatia look like they know how to play but frankly, I don't think we will face either of them. Portugal or Spain if we get through against France and then Brazil or Argentina. I don't think it will be tactics that beat England as frankly I haven't seen anything exceptional in those three teams. It might be some individual brilliance though. Mbappe vs Walker. I couldn't believe Southgate played him the whole 90 minutes given he is just back from injury.I said in a previous post I think some of them just don't either see or 'trust' that ball to him. Giving the benefit of the doubt to them it must be difficult because most of them are not playing week in an week out with players who can work as effectively in those tight spaces to the extent that Phil and some other City players can.
As for Southgate he's got an approach and so far it's working, my issue has always been is it good enough to go the extra mile against the teams of the highest quality? We will soon see.